By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

Where Goessel High School girls basketball team struggled in shooting accuracy Friday night, Canton-Galva struggled in passing and the game remained close throughout the contest. The Bluebirds had opportunities to break away in this game, but even layups were unpredictable in the Eagle gym.

Neither team scored in the first three minutes of the game, with Goessel’s leading scorer for the season, Shanna Klassen, getting the first basket of the game. Goessel’s offense was silent for the next four minutes. In the final minute of the first quarter, Klassen hit a free throw, Jessica Harvey took a pass from Aimee Flaming for a layup, and the game was tied 5-5 at the end of the first period.

Jennifer Van Horn hit two baskets early in the second period, Johanna Hoffman sank two free throws with Alex Hiebert connecting on one free throw to give the Bluebirds a 12-11 lead at the half.

Van Horn began the third quarter with two steals and 4 points, but a Harvey free throw would round out the only points in the third quarter as the Eagles scratched out an 18-17 lead.

Canton-Galva extended their lead on two free throws, but a long 2-pointer from the left corner by Hoffman got the Bluebirds within a point. The Eagles scored 3 points and led 23-19. D’Ambra Kruger banked in a shot and Van Horn recorded another steal and layup to tie the game, 23-23, with 2:32 to play in the contest.

Aimee Flaming rattled in a free throw, but the Eagles connected on two free throws of their own to grab a 25-24 lead.

The Bluebird defense at half court took advantage of bad passes, but two steals and assists led only to missed baskets.

Klassen put in a free throw to tie the game with 1:21 to play. The Bluebirds missed a left-handed layup and missed the following shot, another steal led to another missed opportunity as the player fell before releasing the shot. The Bluebirds missed a free throw and then Harvey converted one of two free throws with 12.2 seconds to play to give the Bluebirds a precarious 26-25 lead.

Klassen went for a loose ball at midcourt and the jump ball gave the Bluebirds possession with five seconds remaining. Van Horn was fouled and connected on one of two free throws for a win, with a final score of 27-25.

Van Horn led all scorers with 11 points, 3 assists, and 5 steals. Teammate Klassen hit 4 points with 6 rebounds. Harvey finished with 4 points and 6 steals. Hoffman dropped in 4 points, Kruger 2 points, Flaming and Hiebert each had a point.

The Goessel girls are now 5-13 overall and played at White City on Monday and at home against highly regarded Berean on Tuesday.

Argonia 93, Goessel 31

The Bluebirds traveled to Argonia on Feb. 15 and found themselves on the court with the number one girls’ team in 1A Division II. Goessel was not able to corral the home team as the Red Raiders went on a tear, gunning for their 16th win of the season without any losses.

Goessel trailed 33-7 at the end of the first period, but then managed to score 14 points in the second quarter as the deficit grew to 53-21. Argonia continued to pour in the points and led 83-28 at the end of three periods.

The final score was 93-31.

In Argonia’s 16 wins, only four of their opponents scored more points than the Bluebirds.

Shanna Klassen led the team with 9 points and Johanna Hoffman finished with 8. Jessica Harvey hit 6 free throws, Alex Hiebert scored 5 points, Flaming hit 2, and Van Horn connected for a point.